Top Jobs in Demand NZ 2026

Top Jobs in Demand
 
Accountants, specialised software developers and executive assistants are among the top roles most in demand in 2026. Education and healthcare are among the industries still experiencing extreme skills shortages.
 
Regardless of whether permanent or contract, there are many roles that remain in high demand for the year ahead.
 

Top roles in demand

Browse our list of the in-demand jobs for 2026 relative to supply.
 

Accountants

Accounting professionals are sought across the board, particularly at the intermediate level. A decline in people undertaking an accounting degree is adding to the skills imbalance. Technical financial accountants and management accountants are highly sought after, as are finance managers and payroll officers.
 
According to the latest Hays Salary Guide finance managers can typically earn $135k within a business with a turnover up to $100m, and up to $170k in a business with a turnover over $300m – although the upper limit for this role can be as high as $220k.
 
 

Cyber security specialists

As organisations continue to embark and embed digital transformations, more data is brought into the digital realm and continued government regulations around the protection of that data means that cyber security specialists are needed across all industries.
 
A cyber security architect on average can earn $180k, a penetration tester could earn up to $155k and cyber security engineers can earn $140k.
 
 

Office support

Office support professionals are in demand across all industries. Executive assistants are the most highly sought after, with experienced and skilled professionals not remaining in the job market for long. A typical executive assistant working for one person in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch typically earns between $75k and $85k.
 
Project administrators are also in high demand as they are not readily available so are placed very quickly when looking for a new role.
 
Additionally, there is a high level of temporary roles available for office administrators as this is a high turnover space where candidates are often looking for better job opportunities.
 
 

Engineers

From civil to structural and grid, engineering professionals, like civil engineering technicians,remain in high demand. With both federal and state governments continuing to focus on infrastructure projects, hiring demand is evident across the nation.
 
The median salary for structural engineers in Sydney ranges from $74 to $176, while civil engineers in Melbourne typically earn $120k and can increase to $175.
 
 

Software developers

Despite the rise of AI such as ChatGPT, software developers in specialised technology such as Salesforce, Oracle and ServiceNow are in high demand across most industries. As organisations look to reign in overspending and realise the capabilities of their digital transformations, they are hiring their own developers to design, build and maintain software solutions that have been implemented.
 
A basic developer working with .net or java typically earns around $120k in Sydney and Canberra, although this is more like $160k for a senior developer.
 
 

Technology infrastructure

As organisations rely more and more on technology, IT professionals like database administrators and ICT security specialists - are in high demand. All roles including help desks and desktop support to server maintenance and infrastructure managers are in demand across all industries.
 
Level one service desk assistants can typically earn up to $65k in Auckland, whereas infrastructure managers can earn up to $155k in Auckland and Wellington.
 
 

Procurement specialists

There are a number of roles that are in high demand within the procurement profession. Many organisations are looking to drive more specific focus on individual categories of spend leading to high demand for category managers, and those that have a strong level of subject matter expertise within certain categories, namely professional services, technology and direct focused spend.
 
Category managers in New Zealand can earn up to $125k.
 
Sourcing specialists are also in high demand at the moment. Inflation and interest rates remain high, therefore organisations are focusing closely on cost. Many are aiming for cost savings via effective go-to-market processes which is leading to a demand for sourcing focused skillsets.
 
A strategic sourcing manager in New Zealand can earn up to $135k.
 
Procurement specialists are consistently in high demand, serving as versatile experts within an organisation's procurement function. Due to the nature of these roles, professionals here also can add value to a bottom line, regardless of organisational scope, structure or hierarchy. People in these roles must possess the right skills in assessing supplier performance, negotiation and managing established contracts, with the latter a rare skill at present. A procurement specialist typically earns $95k.
 
 

Legal professionals

There are a number of roles that are in high demand within the legal sector. The role of in-house counsel (Legal counsel/Senior legal counsel) is becoming increasingly essential to organisations strategies. These professionals need to possess a robust understanding of various business processes and the legal implications of commercial decisions. They also need the ability to integrate legal advice with business objectives to align with corporate governance and policy making decisions.
 
The amount an in-house legal counsel can command is directly correlated to their post admission experience. A legal counsel with two to three years’ experience can expect to earn $88k in New Zealand, however with more than six years’ experience, they can command up to $187k. Senior legal counsel can expect up to $208k in metro areas.
 
With significant ongoing investments in infrastructure around the country, there is a heightened demand for lawyers that specialise in construction law. Construction lawyers should have expertise in contract law, project finance and dispute resolution as it applies to the industry. It’s also important that they have a firm grasp on the regulatory environment including compliance and safety standards and environmental laws. Large infrastructure projects are only increasing in complexity and scale, and therefore the ability to navigate the legalities of construction agreements and resolving disputes efficiently is highly valued by organisations in this sector.
 
Unsurprisingly, technology lawyers are also becoming more and more sought after. As organisations accelerate their digital transformations, the demand for legal professionals who are well-versed in cyber security and data privacy is growing. Understanding the complexities of laws such as the Privacy Act 1988, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other global data protection regulations, which govern the security and legalities of handling personal data, is highly regarded. Professionals skilled in these areas are important for advising organisations on how to mitigate risks associated with data breaches and comply with legal and regulatory standards.
 
Browse legal roles.
 

Healthcare

New Zealand’s health care and social assistance sector continues to experience strong demand for skilled workers, particularly registered nurses and GPs. The ageing population and growing focus on aged care and mental health services are driving this need across hospitals, clinics, and community care. Practice managers and technologists are also sought after to support expanding health services and digital transformation.
 

Education

The education sector remains one of New Zealand’s most resilient areas of job growth, with a continued need for more teachers at all levels. Centre managers and secondary school teachers are particularly in demand, as population growth and increased investment in early childhood education create new career opportunities across the country. With ongoing support from the education and training system, it’s an ideal time to pursue a career in teaching.
 

Future-proof your career

As the New Zealand economy continues to expand, local companies are focusing on sustainable economic growth by investing in skilled talent. Roles featured on the skill shortage list remain top hiring priorities, with employers actively seeking professionals who can help drive innovation, productivity, and long-term resilience across key industries.
 
Whether you’re keen to upskill for the future or ready for a career change, get in touch with our expert recruiters today.